West Seattle Shrub & Tree Transplanting & Relocation
Moving a shrub or small tree isn’t “dig, drag, drop.” Do it wrong and you shock the plant, shred roots, and watch it limp along (or die) for two seasons. We do it right—so your plants survive the move and settle in fast.
We serve Admiral, Alaska Junction, Alki, Fauntleroy, Arbor Heights, Delridge, Gatewood, High Point, Morgan Junction, and Roxhill.
What’s the Problem?
- Plant outgrew its spot—crowding sidewalks, windows, or utilities
- Wrong exposure—sun/heat stress or constant shade = weak growth
- Roots too close to foundations, walkways, or side sewers
- Renovation or hardscape project needs plants moved, not trashed
- Drainage changed; the bed’s soggy in winter and baked in summer
- You actually like the plant—just not there
Heads up: moves in the public right-of-way (street trees/planting strips) may require permits. We also call 811 before we dig—no exceptions.
What We Move (and When)
- Shrubs: azalea/rhody, camellia, hydrangea, boxwood, laurel, pieris, etc.
- Small trees: Japanese maple, vine maple, serviceberry, dogwood, etc.
- Best season: late fall → early spring (dormant = lower stress). Summer moves cost more because they need heavy aftercare.
- Size reality check: up to ~4” trunk caliper or shrubs ~6–7’ wide are good candidates without cranes. Bigger than that? We’ll give you straight options.
Our Transplant Method (the part most crews skip)
- Plan & mark — size by dripline; dig the new hole first
- Root-ball build — tight ball with burlap/strap; rule of thumb 10–12” ball per 1” trunk
- Clean lift & set — correct depth (root flare visible), oriented for sun/wind
- Backfill & water-in — native soil first; blend only if the site demands it
- Stake if needed — low, flexible staking for 3–9 months (then we remove it)
- Watering basin & mulch — 2–3” mulch, pulled back from the trunk (no volcanoes)
Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Your Yard’s Routine)
This is the aftercare that actually makes transplants thrive:
- Establishment watering — weeks 1–6, then taper; simple schedule you can follow (or we handle it)
- Mulch top-ups — keep roots cool and weeds down
- Prune for structure — light corrective cuts after leaf-out, not hack jobs
- Fertilize only if needed — soil-driven, not guesswork
- Stake & tie removal — usually at 6–9 months so trunks strengthen naturally
We’re a low-maintenance landscaping crew. Our goal is fewer problems between visits and less work for you.
Service Cadences (Pick What Fits)
- Quarterly — spring/fall deep clean + two transplant check-ups
- Bi-Monthly — great balance for most West Seattle yards
- Monthly (first 90 days only) — for summer moves or larger specimens
What Annual Maintenance Includes
- Deep watering plan (clear gallons-per-week by plant size)
- Basin reshaping & mulch refresh where it slumps or washes out
- Light structural pruning and deadwood removal
- Pest/disease scans (lace bug, root-rot signs, sunscald)
- Soil fixes where needed (compaction relief, organic matter, wet-feet mitigation)
Why Annual Maintenance Matters
- Higher survival — less transplant shock, more root regrowth
- Better structure early — correct scaffolds now = fewer big cuts later
- Water savings — right volume, right frequency, no waste
- Cleaner beds — fewer weeds competing with new roots
How It Works
- Free Estimate — photo/video or quick walkthrough; clear, upfront pricing
- Set Your Schedule — quarterly, bi-monthly, or monthly
- Service Day — lift, move, and plant correctly; prune, edge, basin, and (optional) mulch/gravel & lawn refresh
- Follow-Up — simple watering chart, check-ins at 2–6 weeks, plus easy add-ons if you want them
Why West Seattle Chooses Neat & Tidy
- Local crew that knows hills, alleys, and tight driveways
- Licensed & insured; utility locate every time we dig
- Upfront pricing — labor, hauling, and disposal included
- Clean, on-time work; no mess left behind
- Green-first approach to keep landfill waste low (we reuse plants when possible)
Ready to move it—without losing it?
Call or text Neat & Tidy for a quick quote and a transplant + aftercare plan that fits your yard. We’ll keep it tidy—so you don’t have to.
